December 2016 Marketing Minute

Is your business ready for 2017?

The new year is right around the corner, which means it’s time to rev up your real estate business! What does 2017 look like in regards to mortgage rates, home values, and inventory? Real estate experts weigh in.

According to recent forecasts from the National Association of REALTORS®, the Mortgage Bankers’ Association, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, we can expect a big influx of home sales in 2017.

“NAR is predicting existing-home sales to reach 6 million in 2017, higher than its 5.8 million forecast for this year,” a recent article reports, “MBA is predicting home sales to eclipse 6.5 million next year, which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are both predicting 6.2 million.

Read the full article

A marketing plan for the new year

With a prosperous real estate year ahead, it’s time to get your marketing strategies in order. When you place an advertisement in Homes & Land magazine, you’ll also receive a package of features and benefits designed to increase your online exposure!

• Extensive online syndication (click here to see the full list)
• Luxury syndication for qualified listings to the Wall Street Journal, duPont Registry and other premium sites that target affluent consumers
• A personal website to increase your visibility*
• Featured Agent status on HomesAndLand.com, so you’re easy to find and contact
• Virtual tours automatically created for any property with six or more photos
• Social media tools to help spread the word about listings Your ad in the Digital Magazine, which you can share with buyers and sellers

Learn more about advertising in Homes & Land Magazine

* If you have a digital “business card” but no personal website through Homes & Land, contact your Publisher to have your account upgraded.

How to create a warm, inviting winter listing

When it comes to selling a home during the winter season, staging is crucial. A recent article in REALTOR® Magazine sheds some light on the most important home staging elements to utilize during an open house. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about curb appeal, suitable holiday decor, incorporating color, and creating warmth with lighting.

Read more

10 creative exercises that are better than brainstorming

Conducting brainstorming sessions with your colleagues is a great way to come up with new ideas, but you’re only scratching the surface. Try these ten exercises to supercharge your creativity and innovation!

Read the full post

Smart home features that consumers want (but don’t ask for)

Although 82 percent of consumers don’t ask their agents about smart home devices, they’re still interested, as revealed in a recent study conducted at The National Association of REALTORS® and Center for REALTOR® Technology Labs. “The most important smart home tools are smart locks, lights and thermostats,” the study reports. Home shoppers are interested in using smart technology “to increase safety and privacy while reducing costs and energy usage.”

Read more

QUICK LINKS

■ 8 online marketing tips for the holidays

■ 3 tactics every small business can implement today

■ The importance of authenticity in social media

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

—ALBERT SCHWEITZER,
FRENCH-GERMAN PHILOSOPHER

HOMES & LAND | DECEMBER 2016